Workplace Safety in Iceland (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Icelandic Acts of the Althingi, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Icelandic law places the main responsibility for workplace safety on the employer:
- Right to refuse dangerous work: Employees may refuse to do work that involves an imminent and serious danger to life or health (Art. 24).
- Employer duties: Employers must carry out a risk assessment, implement preventive measures, provide safety equipment and inform employees of hazards.
- Safety representatives: Workplaces with 10+ employees must have an elected safety representative who monitors conditions and health protection (Art. 15).
- Safety committees: Workplaces with 50+ employees must set up a safety committee with 2 members appointed by the employer and 2 members elected by the employees (Art. 12).
- Administrative fines: Since January 2025 the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (Vinnueftirlitið) can impose administrative fines for repeated employer breaches.
When does it apply?
- You are an employee working in any trade covered by Lög nr. 46/1980.
- The law covers almost all workplaces — including offices, factories, building sites and farms.
What to do if you face a dangerous work environment in Iceland
- If you find a hazard, report it to the safety representative or the employer.
- If your employer does not fix the hazard, report it to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (Vinnueftirlitið).
- The Administration carries out inspections and can order improvements or halt operations.
- You may not be penalised for reporting a safety matter or refusing dangerous work.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't ignore workplace hazards — report them immediately to protect yourself and your colleagues.
- Don't do work you believe is immediately dangerous — your right to refuse is protected by law.
- Don't bypass safety equipment or safety rules — even if it slows the work down.
About Workers' Rights in Iceland
Work in Iceland is built on collective agreements — there is no statutory minimum wage. The Trade Unions and Labour Disputes Act (Lög nr. 80/1938) and the Act on Workers' Terms of Employment (Lög nr. 55/1980) make agreed pay scales binding on every employee and employer covered by the agreement. Workplace safety falls under Lög nr. 46/1980; parental leave under Lög nr. 95/2000 provides 12 months in total, of which 6 are reserved for each parent. Equal-pay certification is mandatory for companies with 25+ employees under Lög nr. 150/2020. Collective disputes go before the Labour Court (Félagsdómur); individual disputes before the district courts.
Common Questions
Can I refuse dangerous work in Iceland?
Yes. Under Art. 24 of Lög nr. 46/1980, employees may refuse to do work that involves an imminent and serious danger to life or health. You may not be penalised for refusing dangerous work or reporting a safety matter. Employers must carry out a risk assessment, implement preventive measures, provide safety equipment and inform employees of hazards.
Do Icelandic workplaces have to have a safety representative?
Yes. Workplaces with 10 or more employees must have an elected safety representative under Art. 15 of Lög nr. 46/1980. Workplaces with 50 or more employees must also set up a safety committee with 2 members appointed by the employer and 2 members elected by the employees under Art. 12. These representatives monitor conditions and health protection at the workplace.
How do I report a workplace hazard to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland?
First report the hazard to your safety representative or employer. If your employer does not fix it, report it to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (Vinnueftirlitið). The Administration carries out inspections and can order improvements or halt operations. Since January 2025 it can also impose administrative fines for repeated employer breaches.
What is the workplace safety right in Iceland?
Icelandic law places the main responsibility for workplace safety on the employer:Right to refuse dangerous work: Employees may refuse to do work that involves an imminent and serious danger to life or health (Art. 24).Employer duties: Employers must carry out a risk assessment, implement preventive measures, provide safety equipment and inform employees of hazards.Safety representatives: Workplaces with 10+ employees must have an elected safety representative who monitors conditions and health protection (Art. 15).Safety committees: Workplaces with 50+ employees must set up a safety...
When does it apply — workplace safety?
You are an employee working in any trade covered by Lög nr. 46/1980.The law covers almost all workplaces — including offices, factories, building sites and farms.
What should I do if there is a serious hazard at my workplace that my employer refuses to fix in Iceland?
If you find a hazard, report it to the safety representative or the employer.If your employer does not fix the hazard, report it to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (Vinnueftirlitið).The Administration carries out inspections and can order improvements or halt operations.You may not be penalised for reporting a safety matter or refusing dangerous work.
What should you NOT do — workplace safety?
Don't ignore workplace hazards — report them immediately to protect yourself and your colleagues.Don't do work you believe is immediately dangerous — your right to refuse is protected by law.Don't bypass safety equipment or safety rules — even if it slows the work down.